Putting together a 180gallon Tropheus Tank.
- Thread starter Mastiffman
- Start date
Well The Package came in today. I didn't get to do much being that I have been taking care of my two sick children. But I managed to do a dry test run of the rocks, mark and make some cuts as well as figure out the scaping order of the rocks as decided on a grate type.
Take a look....
I was sent 3 Free pieces, two of which were much larger and were actually halves of the same piece. I have them all set in the corner and decided to cut the two larger ones into each other and into the corner. The smaller one will be cit into the far left corner of the tank and the larger Feature Rock.
After the Cuts of the two larger pieces that will fit together. Dry Run Fit test.
I used a 2.25" Hole saw bit to make the cuts for the grates on all of the pieces. I also decided on using the dark brown gutter guard and removed the fine nylon mesh from the back. I'm thinking that once the spawning starts and holding takes place successfully, I can always cut some thin black circles that can pop in, right inside the hole, in front of the grates. This will enable easy removale of them as well as cleaning when neccessary...
Here is the powerhead output that will end up circulating the water through the two corner rocks from 2 different holes. There will be a movable access panel in the top corner of the rocks. inconspicuous as possible of corse.
This is the hole in the rock cloest to the fron right side of the tank. Lighting should hide it quite a bit being that it's on a cliff that draws backwards towards the base of the Rock...
This is the hole made in the the same corner structure but in the other rock that will attach to the back of the tank. The Hole is basically in the inside corner of the structure.
A quick shot of what corner piece will look like. I can't wait to see all of this installed with the Substrate in as well.
Here is the Large Feature Rock that will house the Intake(s) and the heaters. Although I show the smaller Accent Rock to the right of the larger FR, It will actually be cut into the Far left side of the this Large FR and will have a grate in it and be connected inside for max water flow and tank water circulation.
P.S. When I Mentioned INTAKES, you may be able to noticed that there is a Fluval 404 sitting underneither the tank in these pics. I picked up off of CL last night for $20. Works fine. I had to fabricate a plastic bushing for the top of the impeller being that it was all worn out and was raddling around. I cleaned it up tonight after making the bushing and she runs great! I have it hooked to the Juvies tank that will be going in this 180, so that it can be established. I loaded it up with some "API Stress Zyme+". It has Live BB in the bottle and is great fro jump starting a new filter! And tank for that matter.... I also ordered a new impeller for the 404 as well an output SprayBar. So Iw ill have the intake in the same area as the FX5 but instead of having to output nosels... I'll have the FX5 and the SprayBar for the 404... Should look pretty nice.
Just a few shots of the grates getting siliconed and held into place. As you can see, They add basic river rokcs to stop the rocks from floating. But that's if one is not going to be anchoring them with silicon. I left them in there...
Well, that's all that I managed to do today. As well as siliconing the rest of the grates into the larger FR and the smaller accent. And cut both of those to each other. Hopefully tomorrow, if the siliscon is dry enough I will be able to cut the holes for the intake pipes and get the Rocks siliconed in...
Take a look....
I was sent 3 Free pieces, two of which were much larger and were actually halves of the same piece. I have them all set in the corner and decided to cut the two larger ones into each other and into the corner. The smaller one will be cit into the far left corner of the tank and the larger Feature Rock.
After the Cuts of the two larger pieces that will fit together. Dry Run Fit test.
I used a 2.25" Hole saw bit to make the cuts for the grates on all of the pieces. I also decided on using the dark brown gutter guard and removed the fine nylon mesh from the back. I'm thinking that once the spawning starts and holding takes place successfully, I can always cut some thin black circles that can pop in, right inside the hole, in front of the grates. This will enable easy removale of them as well as cleaning when neccessary...
Here is the powerhead output that will end up circulating the water through the two corner rocks from 2 different holes. There will be a movable access panel in the top corner of the rocks. inconspicuous as possible of corse.
This is the hole in the rock cloest to the fron right side of the tank. Lighting should hide it quite a bit being that it's on a cliff that draws backwards towards the base of the Rock...
This is the hole made in the the same corner structure but in the other rock that will attach to the back of the tank. The Hole is basically in the inside corner of the structure.
A quick shot of what corner piece will look like. I can't wait to see all of this installed with the Substrate in as well.
Here is the Large Feature Rock that will house the Intake(s) and the heaters. Although I show the smaller Accent Rock to the right of the larger FR, It will actually be cut into the Far left side of the this Large FR and will have a grate in it and be connected inside for max water flow and tank water circulation.
P.S. When I Mentioned INTAKES, you may be able to noticed that there is a Fluval 404 sitting underneither the tank in these pics. I picked up off of CL last night for $20. Works fine. I had to fabricate a plastic bushing for the top of the impeller being that it was all worn out and was raddling around. I cleaned it up tonight after making the bushing and she runs great! I have it hooked to the Juvies tank that will be going in this 180, so that it can be established. I loaded it up with some "API Stress Zyme+". It has Live BB in the bottle and is great fro jump starting a new filter! And tank for that matter.... I also ordered a new impeller for the 404 as well an output SprayBar. So Iw ill have the intake in the same area as the FX5 but instead of having to output nosels... I'll have the FX5 and the SprayBar for the 404... Should look pretty nice.
Just a few shots of the grates getting siliconed and held into place. As you can see, They add basic river rokcs to stop the rocks from floating. But that's if one is not going to be anchoring them with silicon. I left them in there...
Well, that's all that I managed to do today. As well as siliconing the rest of the grates into the larger FR and the smaller accent. And cut both of those to each other. Hopefully tomorrow, if the siliscon is dry enough I will be able to cut the holes for the intake pipes and get the Rocks siliconed in...
iamzrad;4764951; said:
Yeah I think that it will turn out nice... It's the first time that I've installed a 3D background so I'm trying to make sure I cover everything. So if anyone catches something that I post that has a better or more efficient way of progression I will consider it.
Update....
SO.... Yesterday afternoon I "tried" (being the key word here) siliconing the Grates into the Rocks and they were still tacky this morning. So I figured that I had a bad tube of Silicone (which was an older tube) and I had removed all of the grates, cleaned everything up, open a Shiney NEW tube of GE I W/D Silicone and reapplied all of the silicone to the grates. After a half and hour I could touch this stuff without ny tackiness at all. So that was a hurdle today...
I managed to Paint the Back of the right side of the tank that will be in the corner. I left a Viewing window behind the rocks until I know that everything is running smoothly, then I'll paint the rest of it. Maybe not...
Here are set grates in the corner rocks. This first will prvde flow from the left corner of the tank, through the large FR in the middle of the tank that will house the Filter Intakes.
Right Side Corner Rocks. I'm hiding the Aquaclear powerhead behind it so that i can get good flow through the rocks. I may even be able to put a Shorty Hydro Songe back there as well.
It's kind of hard to see but it's back there. I have a nice Access panel that will conver it and looks like another layered rock right in the corner on top of the other two.
I'll be running the power wire right up the corner and out of the tank. You can barely even see it with the lights on and looking at a normal angle.
And heres the Powerhead tucked away. Looks tight and it kind of is but it'll work perfect.
End shot without the large FR. That Rock closest to the camera will butt right into the corner of the Large FR and have water flowing through it to the intakes.
SO.... Yesterday afternoon I "tried" (being the key word here) siliconing the Grates into the Rocks and they were still tacky this morning. So I figured that I had a bad tube of Silicone (which was an older tube) and I had removed all of the grates, cleaned everything up, open a Shiney NEW tube of GE I W/D Silicone and reapplied all of the silicone to the grates. After a half and hour I could touch this stuff without ny tackiness at all. So that was a hurdle today...
I managed to Paint the Back of the right side of the tank that will be in the corner. I left a Viewing window behind the rocks until I know that everything is running smoothly, then I'll paint the rest of it. Maybe not...
Here are set grates in the corner rocks. This first will prvde flow from the left corner of the tank, through the large FR in the middle of the tank that will house the Filter Intakes.
Right Side Corner Rocks. I'm hiding the Aquaclear powerhead behind it so that i can get good flow through the rocks. I may even be able to put a Shorty Hydro Songe back there as well.
It's kind of hard to see but it's back there. I have a nice Access panel that will conver it and looks like another layered rock right in the corner on top of the other two.
I'll be running the power wire right up the corner and out of the tank. You can barely even see it with the lights on and looking at a normal angle.
And heres the Powerhead tucked away. Looks tight and it kind of is but it'll work perfect.
End shot without the large FR. That Rock closest to the camera will butt right into the corner of the Large FR and have water flowing through it to the intakes.
Another project that I took on today was decent scratch on the front glass that i didn't realize was as deep as it was. I'm sure that it won't be as noticable with water in the tank... I'm using Plastic Polish on a toothbrush and running the toothbrush with the grain of the scratch. Then once it dries (about a minute later) I take a different toothbrush and buff it out. it's actually working... Very Slowly but it is made the scratch, on the inside of it, less sparkely and noticable... I may try to keep going on it once I set the rock into place (hopefully tomorrow) and wait for them to cure...
Check it out. 1,2 and 3 are the progression pics....
Check it out. 1,2 and 3 are the progression pics....
koopman;4768098; said:Looks awesome
How much you had to pay for the rocks?
Well the I got a 30% discount from Stuart with a deal that he and I worked out for some business matters. So he gave me the 2 larger rocks and the smaller one for free with the Larger Feature Rock, including Free Shipping for <$200....
It was a great deal! pictures do not do this stuff justice! It is so real looking and being that it's made with real crushed rock that is applied to the top surface during the curing of the mold, it's looks and feels like real rock! I can only assume that it's Nearly indestructable to fish! Any fish that can fit into this size aqaurium at least....
UI'm not sure if anyone realizes this, but Universal Rocks has Created Many Zoo exhibits accross the globe, from what I understand... So they know what they are doing. Not that the "other" comapnies don't or anything, but You get the best of everything with Universal Habitats Rocks and 3D BG's. They even make Realistic Corals! plants, ledges.
Very nice company so far! I'm really happy! I wil admit that it's taking a little bit my artisitc nature to complete the setup, But that will make it that much more enjoyable to look at.
The coolest thing (which I obsess about) is that unless soe copies my exact setup (which would be fine!
), this setup will be Completely Unique and singular in it's construction. not just because each mold is hand made and the color and texture are reapplied with every cast, but the fact that I took pieces and put them together from an Idea that I had in my head!Sory for the rant, I'm just really pumped up about tis build and its progress.....
